Urgh! A Music War (1982)
Urgh! A Music War is a British film released in 1982 featuring performances by punk rock, new wave, and post-punk acts, filmed in 1980. Among the artists featured in the movie are Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), Magazine, The Go-Go's, Toyah Willcox, The Fleshtones, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, X, XTC, Devo, The Cramps, Oingo Boingo, Dead Kennedys, Gary Numan, Klaus Nomi, Wall of Voodoo, Pere Ubu, Steel Pulse, Surf Punks, 999, UB40, Echo & the Bunnymen and The Police. These were many of the most popular groups on the New Wave scene; in keeping with the spirit of the scene, the film also features several less famous acts, and one completely obscure group, Invisible Sex, in what appears to be their only public performance.
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Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast
As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.
There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes
The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.
This is a crash course in the punk and New Wave music of the early 80s. It's basically a concert film--one band after another is shoved in the audiences' face. It's bookended by the Police who open and close the movie.I'm one of the few people who actually caught this in a movie theatre back in 1981. I was in college and figured the movie might work. I was wrong! The movie was in stereo which was cranked up full blast! I realized VERY quickly that I was not into this type of music at all. Twice I tried to walk out but I couldn't. I'm not kidding when I say the music was so loud it forced you to stay in your seat! By the end of the movie I literally staggered out of the theatre with my hearing almost gone and in shock. So this is obviously not for everyone.Still if you're into this type of music you might like it. Some of the acts weren't bad and it was fun to see the Go-Gos and Joan Jett before they hit it big. Proceed at your own risk.Beware of edited prints. I've heard some of the more extreme acts (which gave the film an R rating) are removed from the TV print.
This is the ultimate rock movie. It shows how not all rock is about cars, chicks and having fun, it can be about psychosis, political commitment, alienation and all other aspects covered by traditional arts. This makes the movie rather deep; although some performances are rather shallow, the diversity of artistic directions are undeniable, and makes for a great experience and recurring afterthought. The level of experimenting is intense, from the psychotics of Pere Ubu and John Cooper Clarke, via the eerie sceneries of Gary Numan and Gang of Four, to the mutated rock of Devo and Klaus Nomi. A must-see. -r3port3r
The 80's... a sad time for music, except for the best which are highlighted in this film. It is virtually impossible to find. Anyone who can is invited to email me! I still recall virtually every performance in this creme de la creme celebre of some of the best of the eighties artists.
From London to La, we are treated to some of rock's all-time greatest bands performing , unfortunately, one song each, during a great time in rock music: the post-punk era of the early '80s. You'll love some and you'll hate some, but you definitely won't be bored. Watch out for X, the go-gos, Echo and the Bunnymen, Oingo Boingo, Joan Jett, Cramps, Alley cats, Magazine, Au Pairs, Police, Wall of Voodoo, Fleshtones,999,XTC, Surf Punks and on and on and on. Great!